BNSullivan.jpg "Flowers on a Monkey Pod tree")
Monkey Pod (Samanea saman)
Location: Kohala Coast, Big Island, Hawaii
A favorite shade tree in Hawaii is the Monkey Pod (Samanea saman). They can grow to an immense size, and their spreading branches form a beautifully shaped canopy. At this time of year, they flower. Eventually the flowers will become dark bean-shaped seed pods, but for now, we admire the delicate blossoms.
Update: Here is a photo showing the whole Monkey Pod tree.
6 comments:
Oh my goodness!! I didn't know they flowered like that! So beautiful. Looks kind of similar to the lehua blossom. Thanks for sharing.
Hi Anele - Our monkey pod trees, and all the others in our area are covered with these fluffy blossoms right now. They are sort of reminiscent of the ohia lehua, now that you mention it.
Bobbie
I've never heard of such a tree. It must really look like something. The flower vaguely reminds me of a what a piece of a bottle brush would look like.
http://www.cambridge2000.com/gallery/images/P3205536.jpg
They are very different looking - are they soft? Look forward to seeing the seed pods too!
@ 2Sweet - That's a good observation. The blossoms are more like a section of a bottle brush. (We have bottle brush bushes here, too.)
@ Kathy - Yes, they are very soft and feathery. They don't last very long, but while they do, the bees love them.
Bobbie
are the flowers a source of nectar and pollen for honey bees?
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